#medill

50 years after his own graduation, George R.R. Martin returned to the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University to give the commencement address.

In a rather tardy post at Not a Blog he wrote about his June visit to he Midwest. He was happy to give a plug to a local restaurant.

After Evanston, I spent a few days in Chicago, accompanied by my loyal minion, Sid. That was great as well. Of course, we had to visit Greektown for some saganaki at the Greek Islands, where I first learned to love flaming cheese while still a student at Northwestern. OPAA! OPAA! I also got to enjoy dinners with Mary Anne Mohanraj, one of my wonderful Wild Card writers, and Eve Ewing, who presented me with the Carl Sandburg Award on my last visit to Chicago, both of them amazing writers.

If you know a mid-career journalist (i.e. 5 years of experience) who is interested in branching out into creative writing, applications are being accepted at Northwestern University for the first ever George R.R. Martin Summer Intensive Writing Workshop. The workshop takes place in mid July.

GRRM himself has a degree in journalism and worked in the field early in his career before going into creative writing. That's why he endowed this new program.

Perhaps some future graduate of this program will finish ASoIaF. 😎

Fireside Chat with Irene Edwards, Sunset Magazine Editor in Chief
Friday May 11, 2017 Medill alum Irene Edwards has known she wanted to be a magazine editor in chief ever since she toured Vanity Fair at age 13.

She shared insights on leading a 120-year-old magazine brand into a new era, earning a free MBA when she engineered the magazine’s sale to a private equity firm and why they’ve found an entirely new audience on social media.

Northwestern University is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying made in an open letter signed by 10 women, who include newly graduated students and former employees.The women accused Alec Klein, the director of the school’s prestigious Medill Justice Project, of “harassing” and “predatory” behavior. The letter, which was sent to school administrators in early February, said that Klein “attempted to kiss a prospective employee, prior to hiring her” and that he “made sexually graphic remarks at work.” It also details other allegations and said students were “belittled, insulted and berated.” The women said they had contacted the Office of Equity and school’s Title IX office about Klein before.

The Title IX office responded to one accuser and said there was not enough evidence to support the accusation that Klein had violated the school’s sexual harassment policy.Complaints to the Office of Equity resulted in the investigator writing that there was “insufficient information warranting a formal investigation” but saying that the university would conduct an “informal action” in which Klein was informed of concerns, advised on the school’s policies, and told of ways to change his conduct. Related: Dartmouth College Professors Investigated for Alleged Sexual Misconduct Klein, who has taken a leave of absence while the university conducts the investigation, denies the allegations and attributed many of the accusations to a “disgruntled former employee.” “As a journalist, professor and father, Alec Klein has tried to teach his students – and his 9-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter — that information needs to be verified before being made public,” Klein’s attorney, Andrew T.

Miltenberg, said in a statement to .“He supports the #MeToo Movement and the determination to root out misconduct.He also believes anyone who is accused of misconduct deserves to be heard under our system of justice.

In the rush to judgment, Alec should expect the same — to be heard and to clear his name of these allegations, which are untrue.” The women said in the letter that a larger “whisper network” of stories from the school’s journalism students propelled them to make their concerns public.Olivia Pera, one of the letter’s signees, said she previously filed a complaint with Northwestern’s Department of Human Rights that resulted in a settlement of $8,000 to compensate for the salary she would have received had she not quit her position at Medill due to alleged harassment. “We just kept hearing more stories and it was something that we had talked about for years,” said Knight, a former Medill student.

“His behavior troubled us so much and in some situations, it had done real damage.” With so many complaints, the letter’s signees wanted further action. “This is a place of learning,” said Knight.“The stakes are even higher.

When [Klein] engages in this confidence crushing behavior, it has real consequences.It can be really damaging.” Related: Campaign calls on colleges to ‘end rape culture’ Knight said approximately 18 women have come out with their own stories after the letter went public, sending feedback to the email address listed on the open letter.Signees say these women have reported or talked to people from different offices and departments and claim the lack of communication to the school’s Title IX office is partly to blame for the school’s inaction.

“How many women needed to come forward in order for [Northwestern] to believe one?” said Pera. Under Title IX, students and employees are protected against discrimination based on sex.Federally funded educational programs are required to “take steps to protect its students from sexual abuse by its employees,” according to the U.S.

Department of Education. “Northwestern is committed to fostering an environment in which all members of our community are safe, secure, and free from sexual misconduct of any form,” wrote Northwestern’s Vice President for University Relations, Alan K.Cubbage.

“The University takes seriously all complaints that are brought to its attention and investigates those allegations promptly and thoroughly. College officials would not respond to questions regarding past inaction against Klein due to the ongoing investigation. Neena Chaundry, senior adviser for education for the National Women’s Law Center, said it’s not the burden of the students to create a healthy environment, but that Title IX requires schools promote compliance of the law within its halls and prevent these alleged behaviors proactively.

Title IX requirements extend beyond just an investigation, it also mandates the school provide services for victims and complainants. “The law has always said that you have to take action as soon as you know or have reason to know or should know,” said Chaundry. Source: NBC News.

Political polarization led to a little-known attack on the Editor of the Chicago Tribune, Feb. 1861 just as inaugural ball arrangements were being made: "He [Joseph Medill] says he was standing by the news stand in the hall of the National, with a paper in one hand, which he was reading, and his mail in the other. He was standing on one foot in a position to be very easily thrown over. KELLOGG approached without being observed by him and said, in a somewhat excited and violent manner, "MEDILL, I want to see you alone." MEDILL said, "What for?" "I want a private conversation with you about your infamous attack upon me in the Tribune," said KELLOGG, MEDILL said, "Say what you want to here; no one is listening." KELLOGG said, "Sir, you must retract that infamous libel or apologize for it." MEDILL declined to go up stairs, and the next he knew of KELLOGG'S intention he received a blow upon the face, striking his right eye, which knocked him down. He had no warning and no means of defence at hand, and KELLOGG immediately commenced striking him in the face and stamping at him with his feet. MEDILL seized him by the legs and thus avoided the kicks. Then the crowd pulled KELLOGG off, who immediately left and went up stairs. MEDILL says he was so badly stunned and injured that he could not follow him. He says he is glad he had no arms nor knife about him, as he should probably have killed KELLOGG on the spot. These are the exact statements of both parties to the most disgraceful scene which has been enacted in Washington during this session. Both parties have their friends and apologists, but I think very few, if any, excuse Mr. KELLOGG'S resort to blows as a means of redress, even if the injury to him had been greater than it was. Mr. KELLOGG is a man of quick, fiery temperament, and was greatly exasperated at the article published by MEDILL. The general impression seems to be that MEDILL acted conscientiously in writing what he did; that KELLOGG'S provocation, both on account of the letter and editorials published by the same paper, was a strong one, but that nothing can excuse the act. The affair is much regretted on all sides, but as both are "spunky," it may not be ended yet. MEDILL will make no physical or legal demonstration against KELLOGG, but will probably pursue him in his paper to the end. This, of course, KELLOGG will resent again. MEDILL is rather a small, weak man, and KELLOGG very powerful. They are no match physically. Mutual friends will endeavor to adjust the affair. 

“Arrangements have been completed with Mr. ANGUS, of Washington, to erect the building for the Inauguration Ball, and superintend all the necessary preliminary arrangements. The work has been commenced. The building is to be 250 feet in length and 60 feet in width. There is to be a dining hall of the same length and 25 feet in width attached, with entrances from dressing-rooms, and main hall at the ends. The guests will pass in at one end and out at the other. Thus, all collision and confusion will be avoided. This work, as well as the other and more difficult part of the arrangements, is in the hands of persons fully competent. The ball bids fair now to prove a complete success." [Source: The New York Times, February 21, 1861]

 Joseph Medill suffered from rheumatism, which made him vulnerable.